The last week has been quite a whirlwind as Kevin and I have begun leading our summer project at Walt Disney World. Kevin, myself, and 3 others are a part of leading a staff team of 19 along with 58 students that arrived today to be developed in their faith for the summer as they work at WDW. We love summer projects, however already this one has proved more challenging than the ones before. For me the physical exhaustion of pregnancy makes me more tired and the exhaustion of the waves of emotions that come as we continue to plan and prepare for the arrival of sweet Sophie take their toll. We are continuing to celebrate and have been so blessed by such an amazing staff team for the next 6 weeks! But the other word I thought of was “clinging”. Clinging to Jesus is something that I’m realizing an even greater need of as my capacity is severely less than it was the last time I led this project. If you’ve ever watched “Biggest Loser”, it feels a little like the way the trainers push the contestant to their limit, their breaking point and the deeper heart things bubble over. That’s what summer project feels like it’s already doing with me. Pushing me to my limit, where the things that I could somewhat contain before in the space we had are no longer containable but bubble out and over. I know that in that, there is a greater need for Kevin and I to figure out creative ways to create the space we need to rest in the emotions that are surfaced, yet there is also a sweetness to the bubbling over (as much as I dislike it at times.). The Lord is meeting me, and us in a deeper way, drawing us into deeper intimacy with Him and learning in ways I don’t think I ever have already what it looks like to truly walk in His Power and minister out of our own brokenness. There is a quote that I have always loved by a woman named Ruth Still “If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it’s because pieces will feed a multitude while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad”. That’s what I feel our summer leading will be, the pieces of our lives bubbling over in supernatural ways into the lives of others. Its one of the reasons I write this blog and one of the reasons we are still leading this project. Believing that even in weakness, the Lord has much He wants to do in and through us. We don’t have to put on a face, get our act together or lead in the ways we’ve led before (though I know I fight that)… we simply can lead out of what God has given us now, today, in this moment. Trusting that His power is perfected in weakness. So please pray for us as we cling to Jesus this summer and lead this project. That we would do just that, cling to Jesus, resting not in our own power but in His. There are many times already (in just less than a week’s time, and the students are just now arriving today!) where I feel like I can’t do this. Isn’t that the point of the Spirit filled life though? We can’t do this! But He can. I am truly looking forward to the ways that His power shows up in and through our lives this summer, for it is more obvious to me than ever before that any fruit that comes out of us this summer will truly be His power working through us! That will be cool to see.
And as we lead, we will continue to give ourselves space to celebrate our sweet Sophie. Already, for week 28 some friends came by to help us celebrate with another date with Sophie… this time to the Melting Pot!!! And the fairy godmother sent along some tickets to a beautiful garden just south of us where there are lots of butterflies! (seriously, the fairy godmother sent them 😉 ) We haven’t gone yet, but neither Kevin nor I have ever had dinner there and we are so excited, and I know that Sophie is excited to!
Week 27 was Kevin’s first Daddy/Daughter date and He’s going to write about it soon… it was sooo sweet!
This would be me just realizing we’re going to get to go to the Melting Pot… pure excitement!
Our sweet friends, Rachel, Jen and Surupa (and her family)….who provided us with another date with Sophie to the Melting Pot!
28 weeks and counting! She’s growing so much!
There is a poem I read in my devotional, “Streams in the Desert” the other day that really spoke to my heart and met me in the things that I have been feeling. I think I’ll come back to this and Psalm 107: 27, 28 frequently this summer. I’ve included the poem below and am trusting God that this summer I will “learn the wondrous resources of Him who faileth not” more than I ever have before! Even as I write that I’m thinking, uh oh… that might be a dangerous prayer… but I do so want to learn what it looks like to truly cling to Him and His strength and see more of His power and less of my own power in my life. There already have been opportunities for this and I’m confident each day will bring more!
“At their wit’s end, they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out.” – Psalm 107:27,28
Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner,”
Christian , with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you,
And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you,
And you in the battle alone?
Remember – at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is just where God’s power is shown.
Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner,”
Blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it,
You cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering,
Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?
Remember – at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is where Jesus loves to come.
Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?
Your work before you spread,
All lying begun, unfinished,
And pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it,
Stretching out trembling hands?
Remember – at “Wit’s End Corner”
The Burden-bearer stands.
Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?
Then you’re just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of Him who faileth not.
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is the “God who is able” proved.
– Antoinette Wilson
- A Time to be Silent and a Time to Speak - October 29, 2020
- Teaching Them to Hope, Birthday After Birthday. - January 15, 2020
- A Taste of Hope Fulfilled – Briella Dawn’s Birth Story - August 3, 2018
